High pressure research culture leaves scientists no time to engage with public, finds report
The pressure to spend ever increasing amounts of time on research is preventing scientists from taking the time to engage in communicating their activities to the public, according to a new report from the UK's Royal Society. The study, 'Factors affecting science communication: a survey of scientists and engineers', involved an online survey of almost 1,500 researchers in higher education institutes, as well as 41 detailed interviews with a cross section of respondents and other key stakeholders. The authors found that the 'research driven' culture in British universities represents a key barrier to scientists communicating their work with the public; almost two thirds of respondents cited the need to spend more time on research as a factor which prevented them getting more involved in communication work. According to the report, a successful scientific career in the UK is seen as being based on publications and obtaining research funding. Science communication is not a profitable activity, and so it is not a high priority for universities. Another factor holding scientists back was the low opinion of public engagement activities held by many in the research community. There was a perception that public engagement was seen as 'light' and 'fluffy', and only done by those who were 'not good enough' for an academic career. In particular, many were concerned that this could reinforce negative stereotypes for women wishing to engage in communications activities. On the other hand, those whose colleagues take part in communications activities are more likely to do so themselves. Other trends identified include the fact that senior scientists, those funded by governments or charities and scientists with teaching responsibilities were more likely to undertake communications activities than junior colleagues, those funded by research councils and those in research only positions respectively. On the positive side, the study found that in spite of the barriers to scientists participating in public engagement, three quarters had done so within the past year. Activities undertaken included public lectures, talking to policy makers, visiting schools, writing articles for non-specialist audiences and taking part in public debates. Furthermore, almost half of the respondents wished they could spend more time engaging with the public, even though most had had no media, communications or public engagement training. 'It is encouraging that so many scientists have, despite all the perceived barriers, taken part in science communication activities,' said Sir David Wallace, Vice-President of the Royal Society. 'We need to see the profile of this kind of work being raised within departments so that it is seen as a more integral part of a well rounded career.' The report's authors also looked into what incentives would induce scientists to undertake more communications work. Top of the respondents' list was, unsurprisingly, money for the department, followed by awards or prizes. Help organising public events was also cited, and younger respondents said that support from their head of department would encourage them to take part in public engagement. Finally, the need for the UK's Research Assessment Exercise to better recognise non-research activities was also noted, particularly by senior staff. The report's authors recommend further research into the links between the UK's research culture and the willingness of scientists to engage in public activities. They say that young scientists in particular should be given training in communicating with the public from undergraduate level onwards. They also call for better support from institutions and funding bodies for scientists engaged in public engagement. This could range from the setting up of public engagement activities by other agencies in which scientists were asked to participate, to providing direct technical and mentoring support to those departments undertaking their own activities.
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United Kingdom